ABSTRACT
Taenia solium paramyosin is an immunodominant antigen in human and porcine cysticercosis that has shown promise as a vaccine candidate against schistosomiasis and some filariasis. There are few studies to identify the immunologically relevant regions of paramyosin. In this work, we characterize the humoral and cellular response of neurocysticercotic patients against T. solium paramyosin. Western blots using different recombinant fragments of T. solium paramyosin, showed that the sera from neurocysticercotic patients were strongly reactive against the carboxyl end region, with poor recognition of the central and amino regions. In contrast, the cellular immune response of patients did not show preferential recognition of any region of paramyosin.
Subject(s)
Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/immunology , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology , Helminth Proteins/immunology , Neurocysticercosis/immunology , Taenia/immunology , Animals , Blotting, Western , Epitope Mapping , Humans , Peptide Fragments/immunology , Recombinant Proteins/immunologyABSTRACT
Some reports have suggested that human neurocysticercosis (NCC) induces immunosuppression. To test this hypothesis, we performed a study on active cases of NCC who had not received cestocidal or immunosuppressive treatments. We examined blood counts and specific T cell markers (CD3, CD4, and CD8) by flow cytometry and found no differences between patients with NCC and healthy individuals. Both groups responded to concanavalin A (Con A), and patients with NCC responded more to a parasite crude antigen than uninfected individuals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined for interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-gamma, IL-10, and IL-4 mRNA. Regardless of infection status, more than 60% of individuals synthesized IL-2 mRNA and, less frequently, the other cytokines. These data suggest that immunosuppression does not occur in NCC patients.
Subject(s)
Cytokines/biosynthesis , Immune Tolerance , Neurocysticercosis/immunology , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Cytokines/genetics , Female , Humans , Immunity, Cellular , Leukocyte Count , Lymphocyte Activation , Male , RNA, Messenger/biosynthesisABSTRACT
The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth and oropharynx continues to change. In this primary report, we compared the results obtained by combined surgery and radiation therapy, or either modality alone. Other methods such as brachytherapy, or hyperfractionated radiotherapy, were not included in our protocols. A statistical analysis of the 3- and 5-year survival rates in relation to location and size of the primary tumour, stage at initial presentation, treatment modality and recurrence, was carried out in 88 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx. The overall survival rate was 73.8% at 3 years and 66.3% at 5 years. Size of tumour and stage at presentation were significant when P value was adjusted by site. Survival was significantly associated with type of treatment (combined approach obtained superior results), location of primary tumour, and recurrence. The type of neck dissection did not show any effect. Therapeutic modality used, stage, and location of primary tumour significantly influenced survival. A more selective combined initial treatment according to site and stage (distribution) is recommended.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/radiotherapy , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery , Mouth Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Mouth Neoplasms/surgery , Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/surgery , Aged , Analysis of Variance , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/mortality , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Combined Modality Therapy , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Humans , Lymph Node Excision , Lymphatic Metastasis , Male , Middle Aged , Mouth Neoplasms/mortality , Mouth Neoplasms/pathology , Multivariate Analysis , Neck/surgery , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Neoplasm Staging , Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/mortality , Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology , Prognosis , Proportional Hazards Models , Radiotherapy Dosage , Survival Analysis , Survival RateABSTRACT
An ameloblastoma of the right maxilla with a biphasic pattern of folicular ameloblastoma and clear cells, with an aggressive clinical behaviour in a 71-year-old male is reported. A literature review of clear cell ameloblastomas is made, focussing the discussion on the convenience of considering this type of ameloblastoma to be a low-grade odontogenic carcinoma.
Subject(s)
Ameloblastoma/pathology , Maxillary Neoplasms/pathology , Odontogenic Tumors/pathology , Aged , Cell Nucleus/ultrastructure , Cytoplasm/ultrastructure , Diagnosis, Differential , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Hyalin , Male , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology , Palatal Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
A study of seventy different cases of parotid tumours, using subtotal as opposed to total parotidectomy in the treatment of benign tumours. In malignant tumours total parotidectomy was used, together with postoperative radiotherapy, as a standard procedure. The accurate meaning of subtotal parotidectomy is defined, comparing its indications as opposed to total parotidectomy. Preoperative biopsy is performed as a diagnostic procedure, and as a reference for the surgical decision. A new dissecting retractor is presented.
